Orchard protective system



Feb. 11,1941. 'w.E.sAXE 2,231 454 ORCHARD PROTECTIVE SYSTEM Filed Nov. 19, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 56 I r [0 49 Inventor: Walier E. fl

Feb. 11, 1941.

W. E. SAXE ORCHARD PROTECTIVE SYSTEM Filed Nov. 19, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 &

Inventor. Walter E. fiance.

Feb. 11, 1941. w. E. sAXE 2,231,454

ORCHARD PROTECTIVE SYSTEM Filed Nov. 19, 19s? s Shets-Sheet s M ma //2 5 0 //0 #5 Inventor:

Wali'erE-Saxe.

Feb.1 l, 1941. w. E. SAXE QRCHARD PROTECTIVE SYSTEM 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 19, 1957 ln'z/enion Walter E. S

Feb. 11, 11. w. E. SAXE ORCHARD PROTECTIVE SYSTEM Filed Nov. 19, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 fizz/en tor. WalZerE. Suave.

fltl'orney.

8 Sheets-Sheet 6 W. E. SAXE ORCHARD PROTECTIVE SYSTEM Filed Nov. 19, 1957 Feb. 11, 11

lnveni'on aZfierE- Jamefliiorney.

w. E. SAXE 2,231,454

ORCHARD PROTECTIVE SYSTEM Filed Nov. 19, 1957 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 R ga/6.

lnllenlor. Walier E. ,Saace.

W. E. SAXE ORCHARD PROTECTIVE SYSTEM Filed Nov. 19, 1937 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 a alter E.

Patented Feb. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 22 Claims.

This invention pertains generally to orchard protective systems operating to maintain a circulation of air Within the orchard atmosphere to prevent damage to the fruit and trees during 5 freezing weather. More specifically, the invention deals with improvements in apparatus for projecting a high velocity air stream radially about the point of projection, into the atmosphere above the plantings to be protected. Systems of this type also comprise the subject matter of United States Letters Patents granted to Edward S. Cobb: No. 1,317,959, issued October 7, 1919, on Frost preventer for orchards; No. 1,357,314, issued November 2, 1920, onProcess for 15 preventing frost or heat drying in orchards; No.

1,571,467, issued February 2, 1926, on Temperature regulating device for orchards; and No. 1,639,257 issued August 16, 1927, on Temperaturereguiating device for orchards,

The general objects of the present invention are directed to improvements in supporting structures for mounting a wind blower assembly at an elevated position in the orchard, and improvements providing said assembly with capacities for adjustment and regulation in operation whereby the direction and rate of lateral or sweeping travel of the projected air stream may be controlled to give superior performance in general, and to meet special conditions that may exist in particular installations. The invention further aims to provide, in conjunction with the improvements mentioned, means for supplying in a practical and efiicient manner, heated gases to the vicinity of the propeller for the purpose of warming the projected air stream.

One of my principal objects is to provide an improved mounting for the motor and propeller assembly comprising a vertically elongated carriage rotatably supported on and extending downwardly about a stationary column. The carriage preferably is vertically supported at the upper end of the column, and is laterally supported on the column at a point located a substantial distance below its upper end, so that in its rotative movement, the carriage has full vertical and lateral stability. A further feature of the invention is the use of a tubular or cylindric carriage rotatable concentrically about a correspondingly shaped column. For the purpose 50 of controlling the direction of the projected air stream I provide a motor and blower supporting structure mounted on the rotatable carriage so as to permit variation of the vertical angularity of the path of the air currents moved by the 55 propeller. Preferably the carriage is rotated by virtue of the propeller thrust, and in this connection the invention provides another important improvement in the use of a governor operating by air resistance to its rotational movement, to control the rotative speed of the carriage.

While numerous objects and aspects of the invention might preliminarily be stated at length, it is believed that all the various features of the invention can last be explained and most readily understood, by proceeding with the following detailed description of the invention as exemplifled in certain typical and illustrative forms. Throughout the description reference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevation showing one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary section showing the carriage mounting on the upper end of the supporting column;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross section taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-- of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged side elevation showing the motor, propeller and wind director assembly and its mounting on the carriage;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 6--6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged cross section on line l-'l of Fig. l;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the governor as viewed from line 8-8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary enlarged plan as viewed from line 6-9 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation showing a variational form of the invention;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section taken on line I i-l l of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan view of Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, showing certain parts of the propeller and wind director supporting assembly illustrated in Fig. 10;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged cross section on line l t-l4 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary vertical section on line |5-l5 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is an elevation similar to Fig. 10, showing an additional variant form of the invention; and

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken on line l'l-ll of Fig. 16.

Referring first to the form of the invention shown in Figs, 1 to 9, the apparatus may be described generally as comprising a vertical supporting column 20, a vertically elongated carriage 2| mounted on and rotatable about the column 29, and a motor, propeller and wind director assembly 22 mounted on the carriage 2i so as to be vertically and tiltably adjustable relative thereto. In its preferred form, the supporting column 20 comprises a cylindric tube 23 supported on a concrete foundation 24, the column resting on a base plate 25 that is anchored to the foundation by bolts 26 extending through radial feet 27. The latter are welded to a sleeve 28, which in turn is welded at 29 to the tubular column. However, while as stated the vertical supporting means 20 is preferably of tubular or cylindric form, that particular formation having certain definite advantages and forming apart of the invention in certain of its aspects, as will hereinafter appear, yet in other aspects of the invention, and with certain structural modifications in view, the column need not of necessity be of cylindrical form, and for the purpose of the claims the expression column is to be understood as not implying or denoting a supporting structure of cylindrical form except where so specified, but as contemplating any suitable vertical supporting means for the members mounted thereon. The carriage 2! is vertically supported and mounted for rotation o nthe upper end of the column 23, see Fig. 2, the carriage being directly supported by a table so which in turn is supported on the top closure 3! of the column. The table is connected to plate 3! by bolts 32 extending through spacers 33, and the table load is taken by a supporting channel 3t extending transversely within the column 23 and welded at its ends thereto.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 1, the carriage 2| comprises an open frame structure including upper and lower sections Ho. and

Nb, each having a pair of vertically extending angle irons 35, channel members 36, and horizontal and diagonal braces 31 and 33. A crown lock 3%) at the top of the carriage provides a mounting for sheaves til over which passes a cable ll attached at one end to the assembly 22, and at its opposite end to a weight 42 which is sufiiciently heavy to counterbalance, to a substantial extent, the weight of the motor, propeller and wind director assembly. The counterweight $2 is guided between a pair of rails 53, extending from the crown block 39 to a pair of brackets Ml mounted on the angle frame members 35 near the base of the column guide rails 33, and supported at vertically spaced intervals by brackets lb. The assembly 22 is vertically movable on the carriage to adjusted position, by a suitable cable winding and releasing means, for example a winding reel 16 mounted on brackets A l and operated by hand wheel 57. To facilitate transporting, handling and erecting the main prefabricated carriage frame structure, the latter is conveniently made in sections Zia and Eli) connected by a hinge 43, so that before the frame structure is completed by the addition of guide members 43 and brackets (55, the two sections Zia and 2 lb may be collapsed by movement about the hinge. As shown in Fig. 2, the abutting ends, opposite the hinge 48, of the upper and lower carriage sections may be held together by a suitable connection, typified by plates 69 overlapping the joint 58, and attached to the channel members 36.

. At the upper end of lower carrier section Zlb, the vertically extending members 35 and 33 are interconnected by horizontally extending members 5 l. Extending between one pair of the members 5i and welded thereto is a pair of channels 52 supported on the table 36 by a bearing structure, generally indicated at 53, including a pin shaft 55 having a flange 55 supporting plate 58 upon which channel members 52 rest. Shaft lid is journaled within bearings 5'! and is supported at its lower end on a noduled or button-shaped bearing 53 which permits rotation of the shaft and carriage assembly with minimum friction.

The carriage is laterally supported against the column 28 preferably at a substantial distance below the bearing 53, by a plurality of rollers 60 (see Fig. i) mounted on the lower end of the carriage between bracket plates 8! and (52, in such positions as to engage and rotate about sleeve 28 applied to the bottom of the colurnn. With the carriage thus vertically supported and freely rotatable on the single point bearing 53, and with the carriage laterally supported against the column by rollers so riding freely on the surface of sleeve 23, the carriageis given full vertical and lateral stability with minimum frictional resistance to its rotation. It will be understood of course that shaft 54 and bearing 53 will be made of hard metal capable of supportin the load imposed on the single point mounting.

Referring now to Fig. 5, assembly 22 comprises a suitable motor, preferably an internal combustion engine G l, mounted on a platform 55. The engine. driven shaft 55, journaled in bearings 61 and 68 supported on the platform 55, carries the propeller 69 which operates to project a high velocity air stream outwardly into the orchard and above the plantings to be protected. Platform 65 conveniently may be supported on a tank ii! containing fuel for the engine G l. Tank l8 in turn is mounted on brackets H welded (see Fig. G) to a horizontally extending supporting member it which, for structural reasons, may advantageously consist of a pipe. Supported on the outer portion of pipe '52, as by means of welded plates '53 similar to supports ll, is a wind director M which may be of any suitable shape and construction capable of receiving and confining the air stream projected by the propeller 69, so that the air thence is directed into the orchard atmosphere in a straight flowing, high velocity stream. As illustrated in Fig. 1, wind director i l typically may consist of an outer cylindric shell containing a group of smaller diameter and correspondingly shaped shells it. At this point it is observed, re-

ferring to Fig. 5, that the entire assembly including the motor fi l, propeller 59, fuel tank 73 and wind director it, is mounted on the tubular supporting member i2. As will now appear, tube l2 and its supported assembly, are mounted on the carriage 2! for vertical and tilting movement relative thereto.

As best illustrated in Fig. 6, '52 is pivotally mounted on a supporting frame structure, generally indicated at l8, comprising a pair of vertically extending channel members i9 interconnected at their upper ends by a transverse member 83, see Fig. 5, and carrying rollers 8i and 32 which travel within the channels of the vertically extending carriage members 35:. Members i9 and thus are included in a frame structure movable vertically on the carriage 2!. A tubular supporting member 84 extending horizontally and, normally, substantially parallel with tube i2, is supported on channel members 79 of the vertically movable frame, by means of brackets 85 welded to the pipe and to the inner surfaces of the channel members. Projecting horizontally from tube E4 in axial alinement with the radial center of supporting column 23, is a trunnion 86 on which pipe 72 is lc',:s1,4'5'4 riage. It will be understood that the Vans element mounted for tilting adjustment, the trunnion being journaled within a tubular bearing 81 extending transversely through pipe '12. Channel members I9 also carry vertically spaced pairs of rollers 88 and 89 received within the carriage channel members 36 and guiding the vertically movable frame in a plane at right angles with the previously described rollers 8I and 82. Rollers 88 and 89 are journaled on shafts 90 having extensions 9i bolted at 92 to plates 93 applied to channel 19.

Tube I2 and the parts supported thereon are tiltably adjustable about trunnion 86 by suitable mechanism of the type shown at 95 in Fig. 9, which may be operated from the ground surface while the assembly 22 is raised to an elevated position on the carriage. The mechanism 95 comprises an arcuate toothed rack 90 (see also Fig. 5) mounted on the end of the tube I2, and a spur gear meshing with the rack 96 and mounted on a bracket 08 attached to tube 84. Gear 91 has an axle journaled in bearings 99, and is meshed with a worm gear I supported on bracket 88 below gear 91 and driven by a shaft I0'I which carries a. chain pulley wheel I02. By operating chain I03 trained about wheel I02, gears 91 and I00 may be rotated to move rack 96 and tube 12 and the assembly supported thereby, in either direction about trunnion 86. The'purpose and effect of tiltably adjusting themotor, propeller and wind director assembly is of course to vary the angle of the projected air stream with respect to the vertical. Elevation of the rack end of tube 12 tilts the wind director so that the air stream is discharged downwardly into the orchard, the propeller at the same time acting to draw to itself air from a higher elevation in the atmosphere, which is desirable at times because of higher temperatures in the upper atmosphere, and the advantage gained by circulating air in a generally downward course from the upper warmer to the lower cooler atmosphere within the orchard. It may also be mentioned that wherethe orchard is planted on unlevel ground, the assembly 22 may be adjusted and maintained at a tilted position that will most effectively produce air circulation over the orchard in conformity with its contour.

With the assembly 22 mounted in offset position with relation to the axis of rotation of the carriage 2 I, as best illustrated in Fig. 1, the propeller thrust acts to rotate the carriage and its supported parts about the column 20. It is desirable that the rotative speed of the carriage be capable of control in order to preclude the possibility of the engine and propeller assembly running away at excessive speeds, and to maintain the properrate of sweeping travel of the projected air stream to insure that the air will be moved outwardly to the more distant parts of the orchard. For this purpose I provide a governor device, generally indicated at I04 which, in its preferred form, is unique by virtue of its operating by self-imposed air resistance to maintain the carriage at a predetermined rotative speed. Being an air governor type, the device I04 has the further advantages of extreme simplicity in construction, operation and reliability of performance.

Referring particularly to Figs. 7 and 8, the governor I04 comprises a rotating element I05 which when driven by the carriage through a' suitable speed increasing gear connection, creates an increasing air resistance as its speed of rotation increases, until a predetermined resistance established to limit the rotative speed of the car- I05 may be of any suitable type and construction capable of performing the named functions, and that 'is also capable of adjustment to vary the wind resistance to its rotation at given speed. Typically, the vane I05 is shown to comprise a horizontally extending member I06 mounted on a shaft I01 and carrying vane elements I08 spaced equidistant from the shaft and comprising, each, a pair of vertically overlapping plates I09 and I I0. Plates I09 are vertically adjustable with relation to plates IIO, to vary the effective area of the vanes, by means of screws I I I threaded into plates H0 and extending through slots H2 in plates I09. 5

Shaft I0'I is driven by a lower shaft II3 which, in turn, is driven by the carriage 2I by way of chain I I4 extending about a stationary ring gear H5 on the periphery of table 30, see Fig. 2, and sprocket H6 carried on the shaft. Shaft II3 drive shaft I01 and the chain assembly through a gear box I I! mounted on an arm I I8 supported by the carriage. The gear ratio of the transmission within box I I1 causes shaft I01 to rotate at a sufiiciently high speed to rotate the vane at a velocity that will create an air resistance sufficient to maintain the rate of carriage rotation at a predetermined maximum. By virtue of the adjustability of the vane, the resistance created by it, and consequently the rate at which the carriage rotates, may be varied as desired.

The operation of the apparatus will be apparent from the foregoing. Initially, the assembly 22 may, by operation of hand wheel 41, be elevated from a position of access'bility near the ground surface, as indicated by the dotted lines 22a, to an elevated operating position that may be at any location between the extreme lower and upper positions indicated at 22a and 22b. As explained, when the engine is started into operation, the propeller projects a high velocity stream of air through the wind director I4 and outwardly above the plantings to be protected and also at a desired angle with respect to the vertical, as may be determined by tilting adjustment of the assembly.

22 by operation of chain I03. The projected air stream sweeps laterally over the orchard as the carriage 2| and the assembly 22 rotate about the column 20 through complete 360, at a rate sufficiently slow to insure proper air movement, as

determined by the adjustment of governor I04. Finally it may be observed that all parts of the apparatus may be made readily accessible from the ground surface by placing on one of the counterweight guide corner member of the carriage, steps I20 forming a ladder that rotates as part of the carriage and extends .to its uppermost height.

Figs. 10 to 14 illustrate a variational form of the invention similar generally in its construction and operation to the first described form, but differing mainly with respect to the structure and movement of the carriage, the relative positions at which associated parts are mounted on the carriage, and for supplying heated gases to the propeller through the column and carriage assembly. The tubular supporting column I2I, anchored to concrete foundation I22 by bolt I23, has near its lower end a laterally extending inlet I24 through which combustion gases from the conventionally illustrated burner I25 passes upwardly through the column to the suction side of the propeller I26,-to warm the projected air stream. The

carriage comprises a cylindric tube or sleeve I21 9 members 43 and the adjacent in the provision of means.

placed about the column 'I 2 I and mounted thereon for oscillatory rotational movement, as will presently appear. As best illustrated in Figs. 10 and 14, tube I21 carries at its lower end a series of rollers I22 bearing against the surface of the supporting column. A horizontal hollow beam I29, see Figs. 13 and 15, welded at I30 and IIlI tothe tubular carriage at its upper end and extending diametrically through an opening I32 in the wall thereof, is supported on a transverse beam I33 terminally welded to the column I2I The carriage is supported for rotation about the; column on a bearing assembly I84 of the type previously described with reference to Fig. 2. The upper end of the carriage is inclined along surface I35 to enable tilting adjustment of the motor, propeller and wind director assembly I36.

The assembly I36 includes a platform I31 mounted on'the fuel tank I38 and supporting the motor I36, shaft I40, bearings I4I, I42, and

propeller I25. A Walkaway I43 having a railing I44 extending below and along three sides of the platform I31, is supported by suitable braces I45 on the carriage I21 so as to rotate therewith, together: with the assembly I36. Tank I38 and its supported parts are mounted on a horizontally extending tube I 56 by means of brackets I41. Tube I46 supports the wind director I48 to which are attached braces I49 running to the platform I31. Tube I46, the wind director I28 and the assembly I35 are tiltable as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 10, on a mounting, generally indicated at I50, carried by a vertically extending tube Ilil. The mounting I50 comprises a trunnion I52 secured by strap bolts I53 to a plate I54 on the upper end of tube Ii'iI, the trunnion being supported on a pair of angle brackets I55. The trunnion extends through a bearing sleeve I56 welded to a saddle I51 bearing against the bottom of pipe $66 and secured thereto by strap bolts I58. As shown in Fig. 13, the mounting I50 and its supportedparts are supported on the outer end of beam I29 for rotation relative to the carriage, by a bearing assembly similar to that illustrated in Fig. 2, and comprising a pin shaft I59 supporting plate I54 and tube IEI and journaled within bearing I68. The lower end of shaft I58 is supported on bearing I 6| of the form shown at 58 in Fig. 2. From the foregoingit will be understood that the assembly I36 is tiltable about trunnion I52, and that the assembly, together with tube I5I, are rotatable with relation to the carriage tube I21, on the bearing carried by beam I29.

The mechanism generally indicated at I62, for adjustably tilting the assembly I36, may be similar to the corresponding mechanism in the first described form. Back I63 carried on the end of tube I46 meshes with a gear I64 carried on shaft I65 journaled in bearings I66, the latter being supported on braces I61 and I68 attached to pipe I5I, as shown in Fig. 10. By manipulation of chain I69 trained over wheel I10, rack I63 may be actuated through worm gear HI and spur gear I64 to tilt tube I46 and its supported parts.

The rctative speed of the carriage is controlled by a governor I12 of the previously described type, mounted on a bracket I13 attached to the carriage tube. The rotating governor vane I14 is operated by a chain I15 placed about a stationary ring gear I16 carried on the column I2I directly below the lower end of the carriage.

brackets I85 on the column I2I.

As illustrated best in Fig. 12, all the carriage supported parts including the pipe I5I, walkway I43 and the parts supported on the horizontally extending pipe I46, are rotatable about the axialcenter C of the supporting column. Pipe I46 and its supported parts, together with pipe I5 I, are rotatable with reference to the carriage I21 and walkway I43, within the limits imposed by stops I18 and I19 mounted on the frame structure of the walkwaiy and engageable by the sides of the fuel tank I38. Referring back to Figs. 13 and 15, it will be noted that pipe I5I is slotted at I88 to permit rotation of the pipe and its supported parts relative to the carrier tube I21 within the limits permitted by stops I18 and I19.

Normally, the axial center line L of the propeller shaft lies at one side or the other of the center C about which the carriage rotates, with the result that the propeller thrust operates to rotate the entire carriage supported assembly in a direction depending upon the side of the rotation center at which the center line L lies. In the position of Fig. 12, the propeller is operating to rotate the carriage supported assembly in a counter-clockwise direction. The apparatus operates automatically to swing the assembly supported by pipe I46 in an oscillatory movement of predetermined arcuate range about point C as the center, and to shift the center line L about the center K from one side to the other of the center C, as the limits of oscillatory travel about center C are reached. Referring to Fig. 10, a rod -I8I integral with and depending from the lower end of pipe II carries an arm I82 engageable with stops I83 and I83a, see Fig. 14,

placed on an arcuate table I84 supported by Stops I83 and I830, determine the limits of oscillatory rotation of the carriage and its supported parts about column I2I and the center C, and these limits may be varied through adjustment of the stops by means of bolts I86 extending through arcuate slots I81 in the table I84.

rotation of the carriage slows down by virtue of' the shift of the propeller axis from one side to the other of the center of rotation, so that the impact against stops I18 is slight. Upon reversal of the position of center line L with re- .lation to center C, arm I82 assumes the dotted line 7 position I 82a, and the carriage supported assembly reverses its rotation until the arm I82 comes into engagement with stop I83, whereupon the engine, propeller and wind director assembly is again caused to turn about the center K by virtue of the carriage inertia, in a sequence of operations the reverse of that previously explained. As will be understood, throughout the oscillatory travel of the carriage, its maximum speed of rotation is under control of the governor I12,

As in the first described form of the invention, access maybe had to all the elevated parts of the apparatus by way of ladder I89 mounted on the carriage and rotatable therewith. In Fig. 12, the upper end of the ladder is shown to extend upwardly through an opening I43a in the walkway and to be connected by brackets I to the tubular carriage I21. The lower portion of the ladder may carry a member I9I bearing against and slidable along the periphery of the stationary table I84.

It should be mentioned that the automatic reversing mechanism may not necessarily be used, except in situations where it is desired to limit the sweeping travel of the air stream being projected by the apparatus, within an area less than full 360 about the point of projection, as may be the case where the apparatus is positioned at one side of, rather than in the center of the orchard area to be protected. Should it be desired to permit the carriage to have continued full 360 rotation, it is only necessary to remove stops I83, I83a so that the assembly I36 will remain in constant relationship to the center of rotation C, and will continue to revolve completely about that center.

The second variational form of the invention shown in Figs. 16- and 17 differs from the first described forms principally in the provision of means for automatically tilting the engine, propeller, and wind director assembly in predetermined intervals during rotation, and in the mounting of two such assemblies on the rotating carriage. The hollow tubular column I94 receives hot combustion gases from a burner I within inlet I96, for delivery upwardly through the column and carriage tube I91 to the propellers I98. The upper end I91a of the carriage terminates at an angle as illustrated, so as to direct the combustion gases toward the low pressure zones back of the propellers. The carriage is mounted for rotation about the column by means of a beam I99 welded to tube I91 and supported on a bearing 200 of the type previously described with reference to Fig. 2. Bearing 200 is supported on the transverse column member 20I.

As in the previously described forms, the rotative speed of the carriage is controlled by governor 202 mounted by bracket 203 on the carriage and connected by chain 204 with the stationary ring gear 205.

Mounted at opposite sides of the carriage I91 is a pair of motor, propeller and wind director assemblies 206, one only. appearing in side elevation, each comprising a platform 201 placed on the fuel tank 208 and supporting the motor 209, propeller shaft 2I0 and the propeller I98. Each assembly 209, including its wind director 2I I, is mounted on one of a pair of tubes 2I2 interconnected by a transverse member 2I3 fastened to the tubes by strap bolts 2I4. Each tube 2I2 is pivotally mounted at 2I5 on a horizontally extending member 2I6 supported on the carriage tube by angle iron 2" and braces 2I8. Each of the mountings at 2I5 comprises a bearing sleeve 2I9 secured to the tube 2I2 by bolts 220, and a shaft 22I supported on notched members 222 and secured to member 2 I 6 by bolts 223. The two assemblies 208 together with the interconnected tubular supporting members 2 I2, thus are mounted for tilting movements on shafts 22I.

. As shown in Fig. 17, the propellers I98 are differentially offset from the plane, represented by I line P, running parallel with the propeller axis and through the center of rotation of the carriage. By thus ofisetting one propeller a greater distance than the offset of the other, the dual assemblies 206 together with a carriage I91, are

caused to rotate at a speed controlled by the governor 202. Provision is made for automatically tilting tube 2I2 and the parts supported thereby, at predetermined angular intervals in the rotative travel of the carriage about the supporting column. In many situations it may be desirable, for example to obtain most effective results in an orchard planted on hilly ground, to vary the vertical angularity of the projected air stream in accordance with the contour of the orchard, so as to maintain an average uniformity in the elevation above the plantings of the air streams issuing from the propellers. The automatic tilting mechanism comprises a push rod 225 whose length is adjustable by a coupling 226, pivotally connected at 221 to the cross member 2I3 which interconnects the tubes 2I2. Rod 225 extends through a guide 228 mounted on the carriage I91, and carries on its lower end a follower in the form of a roller 229 which rides around the surface 230 of a cam 23I mounted on the column I94. As will be understood, the cam surface 230 will be shaped in any given'installation in conformity with the contour of the orchard area to be protected, so that as the carriage rotates, tubes 2I2 and the assemblies supported thereby will be tilted about shafts 22I to maintain the air streams projected from the directors 2II at proper elevations over all parts of the orchard area surrounding the apparatus.

A walkway 232 supported by braces 233 and 234 on the carriage I91, extends along the sides of the assemblies 206 and across the outer ends thereof opposite the propellers. To avoid confusion in Fig. 1'1, the side rails 235 of the walkway are shown in dot-dash lines. Access to the walkway 232 is had by way of ladder 236 mounted by brackets 231 on the carriage I91 and extending upwardly between the assembly 296, as illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 16.

I claim:

1. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a vertically elongated carriage surrounding and rotatably mounted on said column, means located a substantial distance below the upper end of said column for laterally supporting said carriage against the vertical sides of the column, a motor supported by said carriage, and a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected.

2. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a vertically elongated carriage surrounding said column, a step bearing on the upper end of said column rotatably supporting said carriage, a motor supported by said carriage, and a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected.

3. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a vertically elongated carriage surrounding and rotatably mounted on said column, a plurality of rollers located a substantial distance below the upper end of said column for laterally supporting said carriage against the column, a motor supported by said carriage, and a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected.

4. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a tubular column of circular cross section, a carriage rotatably mounted on said column, means for supporting the rotating carriage against the circular side of said column, a motor supported by said carriage, and a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected.

5. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a vertically elongated carriage surrounding and rotatably mounted on said column, both said column and carriage being of substantially cylindric tubular formation, a motor supported by said carriage, and a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected.

6. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a vertically elongated carriage surrounding and rotatably mounted on said column, said column being of substantially cylindric tubular formation, means located a substantial distance below the upper end of said column for laterally supporting said carriage against the cylindric side of the column, a motor supported by said carriage, and a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected.

7. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a vertically elongated carriage surrounding and rotatably mounted on the upper end of said column, both said column and carriage being of substantially cylindric tubular formation, a plurality of rollers located a substantial distance below the upper end of said column for laterally supporting said carriage against the column, a motor supported by said carriage, and a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings'to be protected.

8. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a vertically elongated carriage surrounding and rotatably mounted on said column and provided with lateral bearing against the sides of said column at a substantial distance below its upper end, a motor supported by said carriage, a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected, and a ladder mounted on and rotatable with said carriage and providing access to the motor from the ground.

9. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a vertically elongated carriage surrounding and rotatably mounted on said column, both said column and carriage being of substantially cylindric tubular formation, a motor supported by said carriage, a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected, and means for tilting said motor and propeller to vary the course with respect to the vertical, of the air stream projected by the propeller.

10. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a vertically elongated carriage surrounding and rotatably mounted on said column, both said column and carriage being of substantially cylindric tubular formation, a motor supported by said carriage, a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected and means for tilting said motor and propeller as the carriage rotates about said column to vary the course with respect to the vertical, of the air stream projected by the propeller.

11. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a vertically elongated carriage surrounding and rotatably mounted on said column, both said column and carriage being of substantially cylindric tubular formation, a motor supported by said carriage, a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected, and cam means for tilting said motor and propeller as the carriage rotates about said column to vary the course with respect to the vertical, of the air stream projected by the propeller.

12. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a vertically elongated carriage su rounding and rotatably mounted on said column, a motor supported by said carriage, a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected, and means for causing said carriage to oscillate in its rotative movement.

13. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a vertically elongated carriage surrounding and rotatably mounted on said column, a motor supported by said carriage, a propeller driven by the motor and operating to rotate the carriage and force air outwardly above the plantings to be protected and means for causing said carriage to oscillate in its rotative movement.

14. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a vertically elongated carriage surrounding and rotatably mounted on said column, a motor supported by said carriage, a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected and inertia controlled means for causing said carriage to oscillate in its rotative movement.

15. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a motor and propeller assembly, 'a structure supporting said assembly mounted on said column for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, a pivotal mounting in said structure whereby said assembly may be tilted about an axis transverse of the propeller axis, and means for automatically tilting said structure as said assembly rotates.

16. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a carriage, a step bearing on the upper portion of said column supporting said carriage for rotation about a vertical axis, means for laterally supporting the rotating carriage against the vertical sides of said column, a motor supported by said carriage, and a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected.

17. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a carriage mounted on said column for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, a motor supported by said carriage, a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected and means for tilting said motor and propeller as the carriage rotates about said column to vary the course with respect to the vertical, of the air stream projected by the propeller.

18. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a column, a carriage mounted on said column for rotation about a substantially vertical axis, a motor supported by said carriage, a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected, and cam means for tilting said motor and. propeller as the carriage rotates about said column to vary the course with respect to the vertical, of the air stream projected by the propeller.

19. Plantation protecting means comprising a vertical supporting means, a carriage rotatably mounted on said supporting means, a motor supported by said carriage, a propeller driven by the motor and operating to rotate the carriage and force air outwardly above the plantings to be protected, a governor comprising an air reaction rotating means mounted on the carriage in a position to the side of said vertical supporting,-

means, and means drivingly interconnecting said 75 vertical supporting means and said air reaction rotating means whereby said rotating means is driven when said carriage rotates, said rotating means operating by virtue of air resistance to its rotative movement to limit the rotative speed of the carriage.

20. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a vertical supporting means, a carriage rotatably mounted on said supporting means, a motor supported by said carriage, a propeller driven by the motor'for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected, and means for causing said carriage to oscillate in its rotative movement.

21. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a vertical supporting means, a carriage rotatably mounted on said supporting means, a motor supported by said carriage, a propeller driven by the motor and operating to rotate the carriage and force air outwardly above the plantings to be protected and means for causing said carriage to oscillate in its rotative movement.

22. Plantation protecting apparatus comprising a vertical supporting means, a carriage rotatably mounted on said supporting means, a motor supported by said carriage, a propeller driven by the motor for forcing air outwardly above the plantings to be protected and inertia controlled means for causing said carriage to oscillate in its rotative movement.

WALTER E. SAXE. 

